An important breakthrough in the fight against tuberculosis comes from University of Otago researchers, who have identified the hidden vulnerability of the bacterium that causes the disease.
The results are all the more important as tuberculosis has become the most widespread infectious disease in the world in 2024, surpassing COVID-19.
Scientists have developed a new technology that allowed them to find the “Achilles heel” of bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosiseven in strains that have become resistant to common treatments. Moreover, they were able to identify drugs that can attack this exact weak point.
“It’s a crucial discovery”
“This is a crucial finding in the context of drug-resistant infections being a major threat to public health,” explains Dr. Matthew McNeil, the study’s coordinator.
“Currently, treatment options are very limited for patients infected with such resistant bacteria.”
The researchers are optimistic that the new method could be used not only for tuberculosis, but also for other infectious diseases that have become resistant to antibiotics.
“If we think differently when it comes to developing new drugs, we can find viable solutions to stop this problem,” Dr. McNeil points out.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Source: www.descopera.ro
